Shaghig Chaparian

Shaghig Chaparian is a Ph.D. candidate in Science and Environmental Conservation Education at the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Her research explores how partnerships across various sectors can enhance systems thinking and critical consciousness regarding local and global environmental challenges. She also focuses on designing climate literacy networks for K-12 students, educators, and adult community members through social design experiments. In addition, she works on capacity building for educators and other stakeholders by facilitating communities of practice. Shaghig is dedicated to promoting science education that fosters informed and active citizenship, as well as sustainable communities. At NYU, Shaghig serves as an adjunct instructor, teaching courses such as Water and Sustainability, Human Health and Diseases, and Microbes, all from critical social perspectives. She has extensive experience as a university instructor and has also taught science at the middle school level in the United States and the Middle East. 

Chaparian has coordinated various projects in collaboration with local NGOs and community organizations, developing curricula and research frameworks that address science identity development along with social and environmental issues. She has worked as an educational researcher, consultant, team leader, and program developer. Additionally, she has firsthand fieldwork experience with the Kayapo Indigenous community in the Brazilian Amazon.

After earning her B.S. in Biology with a minor in Education, she obtained her M.A. in Science Education from the American University of Beirut. She also completed the International Program in Intercultural Competence at the University of Zurich. An educator by training, Shaghig transitioned her focus to advancing teacher professional development initiatives after several years of teaching.